Identifying the usage status of a defibrillation pad assembly

ABSTRACT

The connector between the patient electrode pads and the base unit of an automatic external defibrillator (AED) system can be formed by capturing a printed circuit board (PCB) within a connector housing. The PCB can have conductive metal traces that serve as the contact points between the wires from the patient electrodes and the electronics within the AED base unit. The PCB in combination with the conductive metal traces can be shaped similar to a conventional two-prong or two-blade connector. Employing such a PCB-based connector may result in AED pads which are less complex and less costly to manufacture. The PCB can also support a configuration circuit that is positioned between the conductive metal traces and that allows the AED to read and store information about the attached pads. For example, the AED can use this data storage feature to check the expiration date of the pads.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.11/386,051 filed Mar. 21, 2006 now U.S. Pat. No. 7,912,543 and entitled“PCB Blade Connector System and Method,” which claims priority to theprovisional patent application entitled, “Defibrillator ConnectorTechnology” filed on Mar. 21, 2005 and Assigned U.S. Patent ApplicationNo. 60/663,910. The complete disclosure of each of the above-identifiedapplications is hereby fully incorporated herein by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention is generally directed to cardiac defibrillationtechnology, and relates more particularly to a connector for interfacingdefibrillation pads to an automatic external defibrillator (AED) wherethe connector comprises a printed circuit board and optionalconfiguration circuitry.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Automatic external defibrillators (AEDs) are defibrillators that aredesigned to be operated by users with minimal training. Because AEDs canbe used by non-medical personnel to treat sudden cardiac arrest (SCA),they are being deployed in a myriad of locations outside of traditionalmedical settings. As a result, more and more non-medical establishmentsare purchasing AEDs for deployment in their environments. Because ofthis ease of use, reliability and cost have become important factors inthe design of AED devices.

An AED generally comprises a base unit and a defibrillation padassembly. The defibrillation pad assembly generally comprises patientelectrodes, a connector assembly, and wires interconnecting the patientelectrodes and the connector assembly. The patient electrodes are alsoknown as defibrillation pads. These electrodes are attached to thepatient and serve to interconnect, via the wires and connector assembly,the patient to the AED. This interconnection enables both receivingelectrocardiogram (ECG) signals from the patient and deliveringdefibrillation shocks to the patient. Defibrillation pad assemblies forAED systems are generally single-use, disposable items. As theapplications of AED systems in non-medical environments increase, theneed becomes more significant to reduce cost and facilitate ease-of-use.

As the connector assembly can be a significant cost component of thedefibrillator pad assembly, it is desirable to reduce the cost ofmanufacturing the connector assembly. Generally, metal pin or metalblade style contacts within the connector assembly serve as theinterconnection sites between the AED base and defibrillation padassembly. Coupling these metal pin or blade contacts to the electrodewires and forming the contacts within the connector housing generallyrequires considerable handling during manufacture and may also requirespecial tooling. This equipment and labor increases the cost of theconnector assemblies for AED systems.

In general, the base unit of an AED system has no information as to thenature of the defibrillation pad assembly connected to it. Generally,defibrillation pad assemblies have a human readable expiration date andare only intended to be used once. Typically, an AED base unit cannotdetermine the age or history of a connected pad assembly. Thus anoperator may attempt to operate the AED with a used or expired padassembly without warning.

Used or expired defibrillation pads may be less conductive which mayresult in less effective rescue attempts. Likewise, an AED base unitthat cannot determine what type of pad assembly is attached, is usuallyunable to adjust the level of shock energy supplied to the pad assembly.For example, a defibrillation pad assembly may be intended for aspecific use such as adults, children, or training. If the AED could notsense that child pads were connected, it could not automatically adjustthe shock energy to a lower level that could be helpful for childpatients. Improperly adjusted shock energy levels may result in lesseffective rescue attempts.

In light of the manufacturing complexity and tooling requirements ofmetal pin or blade style contacts, there is a need for a connectorsystem that may reduce the cost and manufacturing complexity of theconnector assembly thereby reducing the cost of the defibrillation padassembly. Since an AED that determines the history, expiration date, andintended use for an attached pad assembly may assure more effectiverescue attempts, there is a need for configuration information to bestored within a connector system which the AED base unit may read fromand write to. Given the minimal training requirements for the operatorsof AED systems, automatic and intelligent functionality within the AEDunit is highly desirably.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An inventive connector system can comprise a mechanical structure thatincludes a printed circuit board (PCB) that can be made into one or morepredetermined shapes. According to one exemplary aspect, the connectorsystem can have a unique geometry for establishing an electricalconnection between defibrillation pads and an automatic externaldefibrillator (AED). According to another exemplary aspect, theinventive connector system can also comprise a configuration circuitthat stores information about the defibrillation pads. The configurationcircuit may be characterized as the “intelligence” of the inventiveconnector system. The configuration circuit can allow an AED to sense ifdefibrillator pads are present. The inventive connector system canreduce the cost of defibrillation pad assemblies thorough use of PCBtechnology and it can also simplify the use of AED systems.

The inventive connector system can also simplify the mass production ofdefibrillation pad assemblies with its use of PCB technology to formexposed conductive trace contact areas on a rigid substrate. Theseexposed conductive trace contact areas may serve as the connectionpoints between the defibrillator pad and the AED. According to oneexemplary aspect, the PCB in combination with one or more conductivetrace contact areas may be shaped similar to a conventional two-prong ortwo-blade connector with a notch or cut-out portion that separates thetwo conductive trace contact areas present on one side or face of thePCB.

According to another exemplary aspect, two conductive trace contactareas are present on each side or planar face of the PCB. On each sideor planar face of a PCB, a conductive contact trace is positioned on arespective “blade” of the two-blade geometry. PCB technology is wellunderstood to one of ordinary skill in the art. With using predeterminedgeometries and well planned electronic packaging of PCB technology, thesystem can be manufactured quickly, at a low cost, without specialtooling, and without a high degree of precision.

According to one exemplary aspect, with the inventive system having theunique geometry, the configuration circuit can be positioned adjacent tothe notch and between two conductive trace contact areas on one side orplanar face of the PCB. On an opposite side of the planar PCB, the otherpair of conductive trace contact areas that are positioned on the bladescan connect to the wires from the patient electrodes. The entire PCB canbe contained in a connector housing. While some of the illustratedgeometries are exemplary features of the invention, one of ordinaryskill in the art recognizes that use of PCB technology permits theconnector system to have many other different shapes not illustrated.That is, the invention is not limited to the PCB geometry shown in thedrawings and it is apparent that other geometries of the PCB board withits conductive contact areas are within the scope of the invention.

Low-cost component-on-PCB technology allows the PCB to be populated onone side with the configuration circuit. The configuration circuit cancomprise non-volatile memory with a one-wire interface. Control logic inthe AED base unit can interface with this configuration circuit throughadditional contacts in the connector assembly.

The configuration circuit may store information such as the expirationdate of the pad assembly, physical characteristics of the pad assembly,intended use of the pad assembly (e.g. training, adult, or child), and arecord of the use of the pad assembly. Such configuration informationrelated to the pad assembly may allow the control logic within the AEDto make intelligent use of the pad assembly for purposes such asreducing the defibrillation energy when a child pad is in use, andnotification of an out-of-date pad in use. Such information may allow anAED to warn its operator of potential improper use during self-tests andto generally interact with its environment more intelligently. Theconfiguration circuit also allows an AED to sense the presence ofdefibrillation pads. These array of features and functions result in anAED system that is easier to use and less prone to misuse due tooperator error. These improvements can be beneficial as AED systems areavailable in more non-medical environments.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of a connector according to oneexemplary embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the exemplary embodimentillustrated in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 are alternate views of the exemplary embodiment illustrated inFIGS. 1 and 2.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the exemplary embodiment illustrated inFIGS. 1-3 when engaged with an AED base unit according to one exemplaryembodiment of the invention.

FIG. 5 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of the invention mating withan AED.

FIG. 6 is a functional block diagram illustrating the interconnectionsinto and through a connector assembly according to one exemplaryembodiment of the invention.

FIG. 7 is a logic flow diagram highlighting exemplary steps for use of adefibrillation pad configuration circuit by the microcontroller withinan AED base unit according to one exemplary embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 8A and FIG. 8B illustrate plan views of a printed circuit boardaccording to one exemplary embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 9 illustrates a perspective view of a connector and thecorresponding mating assembly according to one exemplary embodiment ofthe invention.

FIG. 10 illustrates a perspective view of a connector engaged with thecorresponding mating assembly according to one exemplary embodiment ofthe invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

The inventive connector system may comprise a connector assemblydisposed at the end of a set of wires which extend from a set ofdefibrillation pads. The inventive connector system can serve as theattachment mechanism between the defibrillation pads and an AED. Oneembodiment of the connector system may engage with a female connector onor within an AED base unit.

One embodiment of the connector system may comprise a printed circuitboard (PCB) positioned within the connector assembly and partiallyexposed from a connector assembly housing. When the connector system isengaged with an AED base unit, one or more conductive traces on theexposed portion of the PCB can serve as the electrical contacts betweenthe AED base unit and the defibrillation pad assembly.

According to another exemplary embodiment, the inventive connectorsystem may comprise a configuration circuit that provides the“intelligence” of the connector system. The configuration circuit may bereadable from the AED base unit. The configuration circuit may also bewritable from the AED base unit. The configuration circuit may store,report, or record information such as: pad assembly serial number, padassembly expiration date, intended pad use, and a history of prior useof the pad assembly. The configuration circuit may comprise anon-volatile, electrically-programmable memory device. The memory devicemay comprise a semiconductor memory populated on the aforementioned PCB.An alternative embodiment of the configuration circuit may compriseelectrically fusible elements that are one-time writable.

Turning now to the drawings, in which like reference numerals refer tolike elements, FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of connectorassembly 100 according to one exemplary embodiment of the invention. PCB120 comprises a rigid substrate and pairs of conductive trace contactareas 130. In FIG. 1, a first pair of contact areas 130C and 130D arevisible while a second pair of contact areas 130A and 130B are on theopposite side of the PCB 120 and are not visible in this view. A moredetailed illustration of an exemplary PCB 120 in FIG. 8 provides a viewof both a first pair and a second pair of contact areas 130.

PCB 120 can be manufactured using a standard circuit board etchingtechnique on copper clad fiber/resin substrate. PCB 120 is positionedwithin connector housing 110 such that conductive trace contact areas130 are exposed for electrical mating with an AED base unit. The PCB 120in combination with the four conductive trace contact areas 130A, 130B,130C, and 130D may be shaped similar to a conventional two-prong ortwo-blade connector with a notch or cut-out portion 310 (See FIG. 3A)separating the conductive trace contact areas 130. While the first pairof conductive trace contact areas 130C and 130D are illustrated in FIG.1, and the second pair of conductive trace contact areas 130A and 130Bare hidden on the opposite planar side or face of PCB 120, it should beappreciated that additional contact areas 130 could be added with outdeparting from the scope and spirit of the invention.

Referring now to FIG. 2, a configuration circuit 230 can be positionedon the planar PCB 120 adjacent to the notch 310 and between the twoconductive trace contact areas 130. A second pair of conductive tracecontact areas 130A, 130B on a first planar side or face of the PCB 120(not illustrated in FIG. 2, but illustrated in FIG. 8) are in electricalcommunication with wires 140 which connect to the patient electrodes. Afirst pair of conductive trace contact areas 130C, 130D on a secondplanar side or face of the PCB 120 illustrated in FIG. 2 are inelectrical communication with the configuration circuit 230.

Connector housing 110 can be formed from two elements of molded plasticmaterial which are fastened, glued, snapped together, or formed aroundPCB 120. The shape of housing 110 allows mating into an AED base unitand facilitates insertion and extraction through an optional moldedgripping surface 150. One of ordinary skill in the art will appreciatethat the plastic material of the connector housing 110, the fiber resinof PCB substrate 120 and the copper conductive traces 130 of the PCB 120may each comprise numerous other materials or combinations withoutdeparting from the spirit and scope of the invention.

According to one preferred, yet exemplary embodiment, PCB 120 comprisesa U-shaped rigid substrate in which each side of the “U” includes afirst pair of conductive trace contact areas 130C and 130D. Again, thesecond pair of conductive trace contact areas 130A and 130B are on theopposite planar side of the PCB 120 and are not visible in FIG. 2 butare illustrated in FIG. 8. The notch 310 forms the central region of theU-shape. The notch 310 within this U-shaped PCB 120 can provide abenefit of maintaining conductive trace contact areas 130 physicallyseparated.

This physical separation can be advantageous when the second pair ofcontact areas 130A, 130B is used to support high voltage connectionssuch as for electrodes 610 (illustrated in FIG. 6). However, it isapparent to one of ordinary skill in the art that other geometries ofPCB 120 are not beyond the scope of the invention. Other PCB geometriesnot illustrated can be readily designed in order to optimizemanufacturing steps. One way to optimize manufacturing steps may be touse geometries that can be mass produced and that do not require specialtooling for manufacturing machinery.

Adjacent to the central region of the exemplary U-shape and on a planarside opposite to the first pair of electrodes 130A, 130B, configurationcircuit 230 can be positioned on PCB 120, according to one exemplaryembodiment. The configuration circuit 230 can be enclosed by first andsecond connector housing elements 210 and 220. In the illustratedexemplary embodiment, connector housing elements 210 and 220 can alsohave a U-shape and combine to form the connector housing 110. Housingelement 210 can form inside housing element 220 such that the seamsbetween them are not on outer gripping surface 150. A snap togetherembodiment of the housing may eliminate screws and hinges.

FIG. 3A illustrates a plan view of an exemplary embodiment of theinvention where partially exposed PCB 120 is positioned within connectorhousing 110. The U-shape of connector housing 110 can provide a form-fitseating into the housing of the AED base unit 400. Form-fitting of theconnector housing 110 into the AED base unit 400 may provide keying toprevent other connectors from being inserted and to ensure the correctpolarity of insertion of the connector 100 into the AED base unit 400.The sides of the U-shaped housing 110 can serve as a gripping surface150 and also provide insulation of the electrical contacts of enclosedPCB 120. PCB 120 comprises conductive trace contact areas 130 which arein electrical communication with wires 140. Notch 310 in PCB 120provides mechanical keying during the mating of the connector and theAED base unit. This keying assists in orientation and alignment of theconnector with respect to the AED base unit. Alternatively, notch 310may comprise any insulating separation to electrically isolate thecontact areas 130A and 130B. The unique shape or geometry of PCB 120also prevents incorrect pad assemblies from being inserted into the AEDbase unit. In this figure, the configuration circuit 230 is not visiblebecause it is enclosed by connector housing 110.

FIG. 3B illustrates an elevation view of an exemplary embodiment of theinvention where patient electrode wires 140 extend from connectorhousing 110. Partially exposed PCB 120 is captured within connectorhousing 110.

FIG. 4 illustrates a perspective view of one exemplary embodiment of theinvention while engaged with an AED base unit. Connector assembly 100can engage with an AED base unit 400. In this figure, patient electrodewires 140 are not illustrated.

FIG. 5 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of the invention mating withan AED base unit. Connector assembly 100 inserts into AED base unit 400at a notch 510.

FIG. 6 illustrates a functional block diagram according to one exemplaryembodiment of the invention. Patient electrodes 610 are connected bywires 140 to conductive trace contacts 130A, 130B within connectorassembly 100. Connector assembly 100 mates with AED base unit 400.Conductive trace contacts 130A, 130B within connector assembly 100 arethe electrical communication interface between patient electrodes 610and patient interface circuit 620 within AED base unit 400. Patientelectrodes 610 are used to both receive ECG signals from the patient andto deliver defibrillation shocks to the patient. Conductive tracecontacts 130C, 130D within connector assembly 100 are the electricalcommunication interface between configuration circuit 230 and themicrocontroller 630 within AED base unit 400.

Patient interface circuit 620 provides the analog front-end tomicrocontroller 630 for performing the ECG and shock functions.Microcontroller 630 within AED base unit 400 is the main processor unitof the AED performing functions such as user interface, self tests, ECGanalysis, and in some cases, controlling a level of patient shock. Microcontroller 630 within AED base unit 400 also directly reads and/orwrites information stored in configuration circuit 230 throughconductive trace contacts 130C, 130D. Configuration circuit 230 can belocated within connector assembly 100 and stores information specific toeach defibrillator pad assembly.

One of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that configurationcircuit 230 may comprise a non-volatile semiconductor memory device,fusible elements, jumpers, or numerous other forms without departingfrom the spirit and scope of the invention. One of ordinary skill in theart will also appreciate that microcontroller 630 may comprise amicrocontroller, microprocessor, DSP processor, application specificlogic, programmable logic, or numerous other forms without departingfrom the spirit and scope of the invention.

FIG. 7 illustrates a logical flow diagram 700 for a method of usingconfiguration information retrieved from a configuration circuit by anAED. The logical flow diagram 700 highlights some key functionalfeatures of the combination of configuration circuit 230 andmicrocontroller 630. One of ordinary skill in the art will appreciatethat process functions of microcontroller 630 may comprise firmware codeexecuting on a microcontroller, microprocessor, or DSP processor; statemachines implemented in application specific or programmable logic; ornumerous other forms without departing from the spirit and scope of theinvention. In other words, the invention may be provided as a computerprogram which may include a machine-readable medium having storedthereon instructions which may be used to program a computer (or otherelectronic devices) to perform a process according to the invention.

The machine-readable medium may include, but is not limited to, floppydiskettes, optical disks, CD-ROMs, magneto-optical disks, ROMs, RAMs,EPROMs, EEPROMs, magnet or optical cards, flash memory, or other type ofmedia/machine-readable medium suitable for storing electronicinstructions.

Certain steps in the processes or process flow described in all of thelogic flow diagrams referred to below must naturally precede others forthe invention to function as described. However, the invention is notlimited to the order or number of the steps described if suchorder/sequence or number does not alter the functionality of the presentinvention. That is, it is recognized that some steps may be performedbefore, after, or in parallel to other steps without departing from thescope and spirit of the present invention. It is also recognized thatadditional or fewer steps may be performed without departing from thescope and spirit of the invention.

Further, one of ordinary skill in programming would be able to writesuch a computer program or identify the appropriate hardware circuits toimplement the disclosed invention without difficulty based on the flowcharts and associated description in the application text, for example.Therefore, disclosure of a particular set of program code instructionsor detailed hardware devices is not considered necessary for an adequateunderstanding of how to make and use the invention. The inventivefunctionality of the claimed computer implemented processes will beexplained in more detail in the following description in conjunctionwith the remaining Figures illustrating other process flows.

Step 710 is the first step in inventive connection and informationretrieval process 700. Step 710 is a mechanical step in which connectorassembly 100 is inserted into base unit 400 at notch 510. Notch 310 inPCB 120 provides mechanical keying during the mating of the connectorsystem 100 and the AED base unit 400. In step 715, the AED is poweredon. Next in step 717, the microcontroller 630 can detect the presence ofthe electrode pads 610 by sensing and communicating with theconfiguration circuit 230. If the microcontroller does not detect thepresence of the electrode pads 610, the microcontroller 630 can alertthe AED operator of this status.

In step 720, microcontroller 630 reads the expiration date of the padassembly from configuration circuit 230. Next, in step 730,microcontroller 630 reads the information about the type of pad assemblyfrom configuration circuit 230. Next, in step 740, microcontroller 630reads the use history of the pad assembly from configuration circuit230. Together, steps 720, 730 and 740 provide the AED base unit 400 withinformation about the pad assembly which is attached to it. In otherembodiments, this information could include pad assembly serial numbers,manufacturing information, self test information, and various physicalor electrical characteristics of the pads 610 or pad assembly.Microcontroller 630 may read any combination of one or more informationelements in these steps. Therefore, anyone or more of Steps 720, 730,740 may not be performed by the microcontroller 630 without departingfrom the scope of the invention.

In step 750, microcontroller 630 may record the information gatheredfrom the pad assembly into the memory of the AED base unit 400 or anattached memory device. This record of attached pad assemblies may beused in the future to analyze the history of an AED system.

In decision step 760, microcontroller 630 uses configuration informationread from the configuration circuit 230 in steps 720 and 740 todetermine if the attached defibrillator pad assembly is used or past itsexpiration date. If the pad assembly is used or expired, meaning thatthe inquiry to decision step 760 is positive, then the process followsthe “Yes” branch and the process continues to decision step 763A. If theinquiry to decision step 760 is negative, then the “No” branch isfollowed to decision step 763B.

In decision step 763A, the microcontroller 630 determines if a self testis being conducted. The purpose of decision step 763A is that the systemwill usually only warn a user about expired pads during a non-rescuemode. During a rescue mode in which the AED 400 may be used to save apatient, a warning about used or expired pads 610 could be distractingto the operator of the AED 400.

If the inquiry to decision step 763A is positive meaning that a selftest is being conducted, then the process continues to step 765 in whichmicrocontroller 630 may provide the operator with information regardingthe status of the pad assembly in warning step 765. If the inquiry todecision step 763A is negative, then the “No” branch is followed to step770.

Similar to decision step 763A, in decision step 763B, themicrocontroller 630 determines if a self test is being conducted. If theinquiry to decision step 763B is positive meaning that a self test isbeing conducted, then the process continues to step 795 which is the endof the process. If the inquiry to decision step 763B is negative, thenthe “No” branch is followed to step 770.

In step 770, microcontroller 630 can use configuration information readin step 730 to set the defibrillation shock energy according to theintended use of the attached pad assembly. For example, a lower amountof shock energy would be delivered to pads 610 if the attached pads werefor use on children, or the shock may be only simulated if the attachedpads 610 were for use in operator training. However, it is recognizedthat the intended use of an attached pad assembly can be controlled byattenuators external to the AED 400 and that are part of the padassembly. In such situations where pads 610 are under externalattenuation control, step 770 can be skipped entirely or not performedby the microcontroller 630.

In step 780, the AED 400 performs the defibrillation steps of analyzingthe patient's heart rhythm to determine if shocking is appropriate,informing the operator, awaiting operator approval, and finallyproviding the defibrillation shock.

In step 790, a shock event may be recorded into the pad assembly. Datain step 790 is stored into the configuration circuit 230 within the padassembly to indicate use of the defibrillation pads 610 and may be readby microcontroller 630 during future operation of AED 400 to preventreuse of the pad assembly comprising pads 610.

FIG. 8A illustrates a plan view of PCB 120 according to an exemplaryembodiment of the invention. PCB 120 comprises a rigid substrate 810with notch 310 and the second pair of conductive trace contact areas130A and 130B. The second pair of contact areas 130A and 130B are inelectrical communication with connection areas 820 where patientelectrode wires 140 (not illustrated in FIG. 8) may be attached to thePCB 120. The connection areas 820 can comprise through-hole vias forsoldering wires 140, contact pads for surface soldering or compressioncontact of wires 140, or similar contacting mechanisms for attachingwires 140. The notch 310 within the U-shaped PCB 120 can provide abenefit of maintaining conductive trace the second pair of contact areas130A, 130B physically separated. This physical separation between thesecond pair of contact areas can be advantageous because the second pairof contact areas 130A, 130B can support high voltage connections such asfor electrodes 610. While some of the unique geometry, such as the notch310 in PCB 120, illustrates exemplary features of the invention, one ofordinary skill in the art will recognize that using PCB technology canallow inventive the connector system to use many other different shapesnot illustrated. The invention is not limited to the PCB geometry shownand it is apparent that other geometries are within the scope of theinvention.

FIG. 8B illustrates a plan view of PCB 120 according to anotherexemplary embodiment of the invention. The view in FIG. 8B is theopposite side of the PCB 120 as illustrated in FIG. 8A. PCB 120comprises a rigid substrate 810 with notch 310 and the first pair ofconductive trace contact areas 130C and 130D. The first pair of contactareas 130C and 130D are in electrical communication with configurationcircuit 230 to allow microcontroller 630 (not illustrated in FIG. 8) tocommunicate with configuration circuit 230.

The geometry and electronic packaging formed by the PCB technologyillustrated in FIG. 8 for the inventive connector system can simplifythe mass production of defibrillation pad assemblies. The PCB 120 incombination with the one or more conductive trace contact areas 130A-Dmay be shaped similar to a conventional two-prong or two-blade connectorwith a notch or cut-out portion 310 that separates the two pairs ofconductive trace contact areas 130A-D present on each side or face ofthe PCB 120. With the unique geometry and electronic packaging of theinventive connector system 100, the system 100 can be manufacturedquickly, at a low cost, without special tooling, and without a highdegree of precision.

FIG. 9 illustrates a perspective view of a connector 100 and thecorresponding mating assembly 900 according to one exemplary embodimentof the invention. When connector 100 is assembled, PCB 120 is formedinside of connector housing 110 such that first and second pairs ofcontact areas 130 are exposed beyond the housing 110 and so that theymay mate with electrical contacts of assembly 900 which is inside AED400 at notch 310. The second pair of conductive trace contact areas 130Aand 130B are in electrical communication with wires 140 which connect tothe patient electrodes. Stamped metal contacts 930 are anchored intobrace 910 which is disposed inside AED 400 at notch 310.

Referring now to FIG. 10, this Figure illustrates the same perspectiveview of the connector 100 and the corresponding mating assembly 900 whenthey are engaged with one another. Once connector 100 and matingassembly 900 are engaged, stamped metal contact 930A is in electricalcommunication with contact trace 130A. Similarly, stamped metal contact930B is in electrical communication with contact trace 130B, stampedmetal contact 930C is in electrical communication with contact trace130C, and stamped metal contact 930D is in electrical communication withcontact trace 130D.

Alternative embodiments of the connector system will become apparent toone of ordinary skill in the art to which the present invention pertainswithout departing from its spirit and scope. Thus, although thisinvention has been described in exemplary form with a certain degree ofparticularity, it should be understood that the present disclosure hasbeen made only by way of example and that numerous changes in thedetails of construction and the combination and arrangement of parts orsteps may be resorted to without departing from the spirit or scope ofthe invention. Accordingly, the scope of the present invention isdefined by the appended claims rather than the foregoing description.

1. A method of alerting an AED user to a used defibrillation padassembly, comprising the steps of: connecting a defibrillation padassembly to an AED unit, the defibrillation pad assembly beingexpendable, having a pads circuit and a configuration circuitindependent of the pads circuit; storing within the configurationcircuit use information as to use in a rescue, if any, of thedefibrillation pad assembly; the AED unit reading the use informationduring a rescue to determine if the defibrillation pad assembly has beenused; and if the AED unit determines that the defibrillation padassembly has been used, alerting a user of the AED unit to the usedcondition.
 2. The method of claim 1, having the additional step ofactivating the AED unit to perform a rescue, the step of activatingoccurring prior to the step of the AED unit reading the use information.3. The method of claim 2, further including the step of requiring thereplacement of a used defibrillation pad assembly to continue therescue.
 4. The method of claim 1, having the additional step ofactivating the AED unit to perform a self-test that is not part of arescue, the self-test occurring prior to the step of the AED unitreading the use information.
 5. The method of claim 1, wherein theconfiguration circuit includes a semi-conductor memory and wherein inthe storing step the use information is stored therein.
 6. The method ofclaim 1, wherein the configuration circuit includes a fusible link andwherein in the storing step the use information is stored therein.
 7. Amethod for maintaining the usage status of a defibrillation padassembly, comprising the steps of: connecting an unused defibrillationpad assembly to an AED unit, the defibrillation pad assembly including aconfiguration circuit; using the defibrillation pad assembly with theAED unit; and updating of the configuration circuit by the AED unit toreflect the use of the defibrillation pad assembly.
 8. The method ofclaim 7, wherein, in the step of using the defibrillation pad assembly,the use is in a rescue attempt.
 9. The method of claim 7, wherein theconfiguration circuit includes a semi-conductor memory for storing theupdated information as to use of the defibrillation pad assembly and inthe updating step, the AED unit updates the semi-conductor memory toreflect the use of the defibrillation pad assembly.
 10. The method ofclaim 7, wherein the configuration circuit includes a fusible link forstoring the updated information as to use of the defibrillation padassembly and in the updating step, the AED unit updates the fusible linkto reflect the use of the defibrillation pad assembly.